D-PDMP regulates the production of a type of fat known as ‘glycosphinogolipids’ (GSLs), which are directly linked to pigmentation, and colouring of skin, hair, and eyes.

The research team conducted a series of experiments on 12-week old mice that they had genetically modified to express the symptoms of atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat deposits form inside arteries, obstructing the free flow of blood.

The mice were separated into two groups: one was assigned a regular mouse diet, while the other was allocated a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet – similar to a Western diet.

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After an eight week period, the team found the mice on the diet high in fat and cholesterol had begun to lose hair, and displayed hair whitening and skin abrasions.

Furthermore, after 24 weeks, 75 per cent of the mice that had stayed on the high-fat high-cholesterol diet had multiple skin lesions and more severe hair loss.

When the mice were between the ages of 20-36 weeks, the researchers gave them D-PDMP in varying amounts, either in liquid or capsule form.

Those that received either one milligram or 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of D-PDMP in capsule form started to regain hair density, colour, and skin damage also started to heal.

Moreover, the researchers also noted that one milligram of D-PDMP in capsule form per kilogram of body weight was just as effective in reversing hair and skin damage as 10 milligrams in liquid form per kilogram of body weight.

“Our findings show that a Western diet causes hair loss, hair whitening and skin inflammation in mice, and we believe a similar process occurs in men who lose hair and experience hair whitening when they eat a diet high in fat and cholesterol,” said the study’s lead author Subroto Chatterjee.

Chatterjee suggested these findings could help heal wounds caused by common skin diseases.

"Further research is needed, but our findings show promise for someday using the drug we developed for skin diseases such as psoriasis and wounds resulting from diabetes or plastic surgery.”